For the first time, Shipki-La Pass located at a height of 3,930 metres in Himachal Pradesh’s Kinnaur district and close to the India-China border has been opened to tourists. The border tourism initiative was officially launched by Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu on Tuesday, aiming to boost the local economy and showcase the cultural vibrancy of the region.
Tourists can now visit Shipki-La by simply carrying an Aadhaar card and a travel token. Previously, access to this strategically sensitive area required special permissions from the Indian Army and the Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP), due to its proximity to the Line of Actual Control (LAC). However, revised guidelines now allow for regulated tourist movement under the supervision of security forces.
The initiative is a result of coordinated efforts between the Himachal Pradesh government and the Union Defence Ministry. Alongside Shipki-La, tourism will be promoted in other sensitive yet picturesque locations such as Lepcha-La, Gue Monastery, Rani Kanda, Dumti, Chitkul, and selected areas in Lahaul-Spiti.
Speaking at the launch event, CM Sukhu emphasized the twin goals of the initiative—economic development and national integration. “At the border, we have eased restrictions for travellers to enjoy the beauty of Shipki-La. The tourism activities here will strengthen the economy of the local people while boosting tourism in the region,” he said.
Looking ahead, the chief minister announced plans to request the central government to open the Kailash Mansarovar Yatra route through Shipki-La. He called it the “easiest and most feasible” route for the pilgrimage and said he would take up the matter personally with the Prime Minister.
The chief minister also mentioned the historical significance of Shipki-La, which served as a vital trade route between India and Tibet before it was shut down in 2020. “There are immense possibilities for trade and cultural exchange through this pass,” he said, adding that the state would pursue reopening it for cross-border trade.
In a broader effort to improve infrastructure in the region, CM Sukhu said the state will also propose the setting up of an airport near the border area. He called for the removal of the Inner Line Check Post, which currently acts as a bureaucratic hurdle for tourists.
Additionally, the state is in discussions with the ITBP to utilize their existing helipads for tourism purposes and to expand medical services in remote areas using ITBP health facilities.
The opening of Shipki-La marks a significant milestone in Himachal Pradesh’s push to unlock its border regions for tourism while maintaining national security.
